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VALHALLA, N.Y.  Around 120 sergeants, captains and assistant wardens at the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla agreed to a new contract Monday that for the first time includes health care contributions, county officials said. The contract also has a reduced salary schedule for new hires.

This contract negotiated through the give and take of collective bargaining, is fair to both the union members and our taxpayers, County Executive Rob Astorino said in a statement. I have repeatedly called upon our county unions to pay some of the costs of their health care, just like everyone else.

Members of the Westchester County Correction Superior Officers Association have been without a contract since 2009, when their previous one expired. Under the new contract, wages will increase by about 2.6 percent per year and members will be required to contribute 12.5 percent to health insurance costs, or around $2,600 annually for a family plan and $986 for an individual. That contribution will rise to 13 percent in 2013, 14 percent in 2014 and 15 percent in 2015, when the contract expires. New hires will be required to pay 20 percent toward the cost of their health insurance.

Warren Roth, a lawyer representing the SOA, said the union was pleased with the contract.

The new agreement provides SOA membership and the county with stability through 2015 and at the same time demonstrates the memberships commitment to work with the county government during these tough economic times, Roth said in a statement.

The contract was ratified Monday by union members and now must be approved by the Westchester County Board of Legislators.